A prolific fare-dodger clocked-up a staggering £16,000 in fines and costs after repeatedly failing to buy a Metro ticket.
Between 2012 and 2021, Nathan Gallon used the Nexus service a total of 125 times without paying his way - and got caught.
Numerous subsequent appearances before magistrates meant the 26-year-old soon wracked-up an eyewatering bill in fines and costs, which he was ordered to pay off at the rate of £20 per month.
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However, Gallon stopped making deposits towards his debt and a Summons for Enforcement of Payment was issued.
Gallon, of St Johns Green, in North Shields, appeared at North Tyneside Magistrates' Court this week where he was told he faced a potential jail sentence.
In total, it emerged Gallon owed £16,904.
Kash Khan, defending, said Gallon believed he had made payments.
Mr Khan added: "This is a young man with life-long problems. He comes from quite a disturbed family background.
"The vast amount of these fines are not from criminal offences but travelling on the Metro without having the funds to pay for the journey.
"That in itself, he accepts, is wrong but he does make these decisions in a split second.
"He is honest. I asked if someone else had been using his details to give to Metro and he said no, it was him, he doesn't want to lie.
"He feels he doesn't really have control of it."
The court heard that Gallon maybe entitled to Gold Card, which enables him to travel on public transport for free, but hadn't yet succeeded in making an application.
District Judge Paul Currer remitted £6,358 of Gallon's debts, reducing it to just over £10,000, but decided to adjourn the case for a legal representative of Metro to attend.
He said: "You are here because of non-payment of fines. I understand that it's not entirely your fault and you could be entitled to a Gold card, which will allow you to travel on the Metro for free.
"I have remitted just over £6,000 but there's still an awful lot of money to pay, over £10,000.
"I'm going to adjourn your case. I want you to attend and hopefully someone from Metro's legal department will attend as well."
Gallon will appear back before the same court on March 16.
